Spring Break
Rutrick elected Union secretary in first round
by Quinn Lockwood
News | 11/20/07
Posted online at 9:47 PM EST on 11/19/07
/ Last updated at 3:33 PM EST on 11/19/07
Brandeis students elected Nelson Rutrick '09 as the new Student Union secretary in special elections held last Sunday. The elections were called in order to fill the office after Michael Goldman's '08 resignation Nov. 1. Rutrick gained over 50 percent of the votes in the first round, eliminating the need for the second round today.
"It was an extremely close race," Rutrick said after results were posted. "It was the hardest competition I've ever had in my life, and I want to thank all the people who helped me."
Polls opened at midnight last Sunday, and Rutrick received 409 votes. His opponent, Tia Chatterjee '09, received 361 votes.
"I've always wanted to have a larger role in student government, but I haven't had the time to commit to it," Rutrick said in an interview during his campaign. "After seeing all the drama with the last secretary, it interested me a lot in student government. I was one of the only non-Student Union members who went to [Goldman's] trial. It was very interesting to me."
Goldman said earlier this month that he resigned because Union President Shreeya Sinha '09 has controlled the executive board and excessively increased the power of her office. Goldman objected to Sinha's squashing of a debate about the position of racial minority senator at an E-board meeting and the fact that she chose to give herself one of the student positions on a new Firearms Advisory Committee.
The resignation followed a monthlong controversy over Goldman's admitting to releasing vote tallies to candidates during an election periods last spring and hinting at tallies to a candidate's friend during an election period last fall. The Senate unanimously censured Goldman and removed his ability to view the elections software after an unofficial, nonbinding straw poll to decide whether to hold an impeachment vote failed by one vote.
A Union Judiciary case followed after a student sued Goldman for his behavior during the election. The court ruled that Gol man's actions were unconstitutional because he breached implied constitutional standards of fairness.
"It was an extremely close race," Rutrick said after results were posted. "It was the hardest competition I've ever had in my life, and I want to thank all the people who helped me."
Polls opened at midnight last Sunday, and Rutrick received 409 votes. His opponent, Tia Chatterjee '09, received 361 votes.
"I've always wanted to have a larger role in student government, but I haven't had the time to commit to it," Rutrick said in an interview during his campaign. "After seeing all the drama with the last secretary, it interested me a lot in student government. I was one of the only non-Student Union members who went to [Goldman's] trial. It was very interesting to me."
Goldman said earlier this month that he resigned because Union President Shreeya Sinha '09 has controlled the executive board and excessively increased the power of her office. Goldman objected to Sinha's squashing of a debate about the position of racial minority senator at an E-board meeting and the fact that she chose to give herself one of the student positions on a new Firearms Advisory Committee.
The resignation followed a monthlong controversy over Goldman's admitting to releasing vote tallies to candidates during an election periods last spring and hinting at tallies to a candidate's friend during an election period last fall. The Senate unanimously censured Goldman and removed his ability to view the elections software after an unofficial, nonbinding straw poll to decide whether to hold an impeachment vote failed by one vote.
A Union Judiciary case followed after a student sued Goldman for his behavior during the election. The court ruled that Gol man's actions were unconstitutional because he breached implied constitutional standards of fairness.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
James Kindle
posted 11/27/07 @ 3:46 AM EST
Oh, thank goodness that Michael Goldman is gone and that Rutrick is in. I'm sure he will make an excellent secretary. Finally things will be taken care of, for a change. (Continued…)
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